Nehemiah 7:22: “the descendants of Hashum 223”

Extended Explanation of the Verse

Nehemiah 7:22 lists the descendants of Hashum, numbering 223, as part of the exiled families who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city after the Babylonian exile. Though they were a relatively small group compared to others mentioned in this chapter, their inclusion highlights the importance of every family, regardless of size, in the larger task of restoring Jerusalem and reestablishing the Jewish community. The descendants of Hashum represent a family committed to helping in the monumental task of rebuilding their homeland and their identity as God’s people.

Historical Context

This verse is situated in the context of the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian exile. After the Babylonian Empire conquered Jerusalem, the temple was destroyed, and many Jews were taken into exile. They spent about 70 years in Babylon before King Cyrus of Persia allowed them to return to their homeland. This return happened in several waves, and the task at hand was not just the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and the temple but also the restoration of Jewish religious and communal life.

The descendants of Hashum, like many other families listed in Nehemiah 7, were part of this collective effort to rebuild what had been lost. Their commitment to return and participate in this work reflects their faith in God’s promises and their desire to restore the nation’s spiritual life. These returning exiles were crucial in reestablishing the Jewish identity, rebuilding the temple, and restoring worship practices.

Theological Implications

Nehemiah 7:22 reminds us of God’s faithfulness to His promises. Despite the exile and the destruction of Jerusalem, God had promised through the prophets that He would bring His people back to their land, and the return of the descendants of Hashum is part of the fulfillment of that promise. This verse shows that God works through both large and small groups of people. The descendants of Hashum were a relatively small family, but their role in the restoration of Jerusalem was still vital.

This verse also emphasizes the importance of obedience and community in God’s plan. The rebuilding of Jerusalem required the collective effort of many families, each contributing what they could to the task. This teaches us that God’s work is often accomplished through the obedience and cooperation of His people, regardless of the size of their contribution.

Literary Analysis

Nehemiah 7:22 is part of a genealogical list that records the families who returned from exile to help rebuild Jerusalem. In biblical literature, genealogies serve to link the past with the present, showing continuity in God’s covenant relationship with His people. By listing the descendants of Hashum, along with their specific number (223), Nehemiah underscores the personal and communal nature of the return from exile. Each family is named and counted, showing that every person’s participation mattered in the restoration of Jerusalem.

The structure of this genealogical list also highlights the theme of restoration. The people who returned to Jerusalem were not just rebuilding a city; they were reclaiming their identity as God’s chosen people. By including the descendants of Hashum, Nehemiah emphasizes that even smaller families played a significant role in this collective effort to restore what had been lost.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Ezra 2:19: This verse also lists the descendants of Hashum among those who returned from exile, showing consistency between the records of Ezra and Nehemiah.
• Jeremiah 29:10-14: In this passage, God promises to bring His people back from exile after 70 years, a promise fulfilled in part through the return of families like the descendants of Hashum.
• Isaiah 11:11-12: This prophecy speaks of God gathering His people from various lands, reflecting the return of the exiles, including the descendants of Hashum.
• Psalm 126:1-3: This psalm celebrates the return of the exiles and the joy of restoration, a joy that would have been shared by families like the descendants of Hashum as they returned to Jerusalem.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

For Christians today, Nehemiah 7:22 serves as a reminder that God values both large and small acts of faithfulness. Just as the descendants of Hashum played a role in rebuilding Jerusalem, each of us is called to contribute to the building of God’s kingdom. This verse encourages us to see the value of our contributions, no matter how small they may seem. Every person has a role to play in the work of God, and our faithfulness is what matters.

This verse also teaches us about the importance of being part of a community of believers. The descendants of Hashum didn’t act alone—they were part of a larger effort to restore the city and the people. In the same way, Christians are called to work together as the body of Christ, each contributing their unique gifts and abilities to the work of building up the church and spreading the gospel.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

Nehemiah 7:22 reflects God’s love for His people, as seen in His faithfulness to bring them back from exile and restore their lives. Despite the hardship of the exile, God remained committed to His promises. The return of the descendants of Hashum is part of the larger story of God’s redemptive plan, showing that God never abandons His people but works to bring them back to a place of restoration and blessing.

God’s love is also personal—He knows and cares for each individual and family, no matter how large or small their contribution may seem. The descendants of Hashum may have been few in number, but their presence and participation in God’s work were significant. This verse reminds us that God’s love is not just for the powerful or influential but for all who respond to His call in faith.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Nehemiah 7:22 connects to Jesus Christ through the theme of restoration. Just as the descendants of Hashum returned to help rebuild Jerusalem, Jesus came to restore humanity’s broken relationship with God. In Luke 19:10, Jesus says that He came “to seek and to save the lost,” a mission of restoration that mirrors the return of the exiles to their homeland. The restoration of Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s time points forward to the spiritual restoration that Jesus brings through His life, death, and resurrection.

Additionally, the rebuilding of Jerusalem is a foreshadowing of the spiritual work Jesus is doing in His church. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus promises to build His church, and just as the descendants of Hashum played a role in the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem, Christians today are called to participate in the spiritual restoration that Jesus is accomplishing in the world.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does Nehemiah 7:22 encourage you to see your role in God’s kingdom work, even if it seems small or insignificant?
2. What does this verse teach you about the importance of faithfulness and obedience, even when the task seems challenging or overwhelming?
3. How can you contribute to the restoration work that God is doing in your church or community, just as the descendants of Hashum contributed to the rebuilding of Jerusalem?
4. How does this verse remind you of God’s faithfulness to His promises, even after difficult times or seasons of discipline?
5. How does the restoration work in Nehemiah’s time point you toward the greater restoration that Jesus brings into our lives?

Nehemiah 7:22 reminds us that God’s work often involves the faithfulness of individuals and families who respond to His call. Just as the descendants of Hashum played a role in the restoration of Jerusalem, we are called to be part of God’s ongoing work of restoration in the world through Jesus Christ. God’s love and faithfulness are evident in how He includes each of us in His redemptive plan, restoring what has been broken and calling us to be part of His family.